ONE IS ENOUGH: Hofstra men edge Fordham on PK, spoiling Acquista’s debut as Rams coach

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. – Hendrik Hebbeker converted a first-half penalty kick and the Pride defense made it stand as the Hofstra University men came away with a season-opening 1-0 victory over Fordham University at Hofstra Soccer Stadium Thursday night.

The Pride spoiled Carlo Acquista’s debut as Rams coach.

Hofstra (1-0) is unbeaten in its last eight season openers (6-0-2). The Pride is 20-8-3 in home openers under 31st-year head coach Richard Nuttall.

Hebbeker’s goal was scored at 9:59 after a foul in the box. The Gemran sophomore converted the penalty kick into the lower right corner for his first career goal.

From there the Hofstra defense took over. Fordham applied pressure throughout the game, but the Pride refused to yield the equalizer.

Goalkeeper Alex Ashton made six saves and was helped by a team defensive save that prevented a goal late in the second half.

Fordham (0-1) outshot Hofstra (1-0), 14-13. Petter Soelberg took four shots to pace the Pride offense while Sameer Fathazada had six shots for the Rams.

About The Author

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered eight World Cups, seven Olympics and all 21 MLS Cups. He writes about New York City FC, New York Cosmos and the U.S. national team for Newsday and pens a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has two more in the works, including one about the Rochester Lancers.